U.S. Congress Voicing Concerns On The Growing U.S. Military Presence In Africa

A US soldier taking part in training in Senegal last year

AFP: US politicians skeptical over growing military presence in Africa

US politicians are voicing concern over America's growing military presence across Africa, where they worry the Pentagon is getting ever more embroiled in a secretive campaign against a shifting enemy.

Last month's killing of four US soldiers in a Niger ambush has thrust the issue into the spotlight, with lawmakers calling for greater transparency on what is going on in Africa.

"The footprint in Africa is much bigger than the American public understands," Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said this week.

The Niger ambush has also rekindled debate over the legal authorities the Pentagon uses to fight jihadist groups overseas, particularly in Africa where about 6,000 US troops are deployed across the vast continent.

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WNU Editor: These Congressional concerns are justified, but in all fairness there has been a lot of coverage on the growing U.S. military role in Africa, it is just that Congress has been focused elsewhere.